Elderly Man Targeted In South Jersey Home Invasion And Robbery

BURLINGTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (CBS) — An elderly man in Burlington Township was the target of a home invasion, and police say it was not random.

“The victim deals with precious metals, so items that were taken deal with his employment. He was targeted because of what he does for work,” said Lt. Brian Painter, of the Burlington Township Police Department.

Just after 7 on Thursday night, an 81-year-old man answered the door, and a man with a silver revolver forced his way in.

“Someone came to his house and rang the door bell. They bound him to a chair and ransacked the house,” Painter explained.

After about half an hour, the robber left with what he was after, and the elderly man was able to get free and call police.

“I’m fine, but I have no statement to make at this time,” the victim — who we are not naming — told Eyewitness News outside his house today.

Word of the attack has rattled neighbors in the victim’s complex.

“We all look out for each other over here or across the street. I hope they put a camera or something up now,” neighbor Brian Wright said.

“It wasn’t a random act. It wasn’t random. He is so nice; he didn’t deserve that. He’s a nice person,” said a woman who would only identify herself as Marion. She lives upstairs from the victim.

Police did not want to say exactly was stolen from the home, only that it was worth a significant amount of money. They are now looking for a white man is his late 20’s or 30’s who is unshaven and was last seen wearing dark colored clothing and a white hat. They do not know if a getaway car was used.